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The FIFA World Cup has a habit of creating stars.
While legends such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to define an era of soccer, every World Cup offers the next generation an opportunity to introduce themselves to a global audience. Some seize the moment and become household names almost overnight.
The 2026 edition will feature another wave of teenage talent. Mexico's Gilberto Mora enters as the youngest player in the tournament, while Spain sensation Lamine Yamal is already among the brightest young stars in world soccer.
Here's a look at the youngest players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Youngest players in the FIFA World Cup 2026
| Player | Age (Birthday) | Position | Team |
| Gilberto Mora | 17 (Oct. 14, 2008) | CAM | Mexico |
| Hugo Sochurek | 18 (Jun. 7, 2008) | CM | Czechia |
| Ibrahim Mbaye | 18 (Jan. 24, 2008) | RW | Senegal |
| Hamza Abdelkarim | 18 (Jan. 1, 2008) | ST | Egypt |
| Bara Sapoko Ndiaye | 18 (Dec. 31, 2007) | CM | Senegal |
| Mladen Jurkas | 18 (Oct. 7, 2007) | GK | Boznia and Herzegovina |
| Ayyoub Bouaddi | 18 (Oct. 2, 2007) | CM | Morocco |
| Kerim Alajbegovic | 18 (Sep. 21, 2007) | LW | Boznia and Herzegovina |
| Rayan Elloumi | 18 (Sep. 17, 2007) | CF | Tunisia |
| Lucas Herrington | 18 (Sep. 5, 2007) | CB | Australia |
| Behruzjon Karimov | 18 (Aug. 7,2007) | RB | Uzbekistan |
| Lamine Yamal | 18 (Jul. 13, 2007) | RW | Spain |
Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at just 17 years and 240 days old. He won't celebrate his 18th birthday until October.
Mora has already built an impressive résumé despite his age. He became the youngest player to start and score in Liga MX history, the youngest player to debut for Mexico's national team and the youngest winner of a FIFA-recognized men's international tournament when Mexico lifted the 2025 Gold Cup.
Should he appear at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mora would become the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at the tournament.
The Club Tijuana midfielder enters the competition as one of the brightest young prospects in world soccer and is expected to play an important role in Mexico's future plans.
MORE: Which cities will host World Cup 2026? List of 16 stadiums chosen by FIFA in USA, Canada and Mexico
Youngest players in FIFA World Cup history
Teenagers have long been part of the FIFA World Cup, with several going on to become some of the biggest names in soccer history.
The five youngest players to appear in a World Cup match are:
- Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland, 1982)
- Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, 1998)
- Femi Opabunmi (Nigeria, 2002)
- Salomon Olembe (Cameroon, 1998)
- Pele (Brazil, 1958)
Several members of that group went on to become stars of the game, including Samuel Eto'o, who made his World Cup debut for Cameroon at age 17 in 1998, and Pele, who famously helped Brazil win the 1958 World Cup as a 17-year-old.
FIFA World Cup minimum age rules
FIFA does not have a minimum age requirement for players competing at the World Cup.
Any player selected to their nation's final squad is eligible to participate, regardless of age. As a result, several teenagers have appeared on soccer's biggest stage throughout the tournament's history.
Mexico's Gilberto Mora, the youngest player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is one of several teenagers included in this year's tournament.
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